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Dude RUN! Brian Harnois, still Scamming Fans

It seems when failed paranormal personalities try put on events or attempt to do things out of their range of expertise, not only do they fail miserably, they hurt their fans, damage the paranormal community and cause further mistrust of anyone in a “Paranormal Group”.

In the news lately, Paranormal State members have been putting on so called “Screenings” and “Field Trips” only to owe fans and venues huge amounts of money from no-shows, broken promises and less than expected at these so called events. States Attorney Generals have been called and as soon as criminal charges are about to be filed, members claim that they have terminal cancer and illnesses.

The same song and dance was told to fans when asked why one Ghost Hunters cast member left the show, crying wolf that they had cancer and could not fulfill contact duties, and every time one looks at Facebook there is yet another unprofessional, ill trained group of people that try to put together some kind of celebrity event.

Now it’s Brian’s turn again to cry wolf of mental illness and computer problems accused of keeping fans monies and breaking contractual obligations.

Taken from an Examiner Article: Former “Ghost Hunters” star Brian Harnois is under attack from fans today. The paranormal investigator is being accused of stealing money from some of his supporters. Last year the ghost hunter allegedly faked a suicide attempt to get back into the infrared spotlight. Currently he is on tour and featured at various ghost hunting events.

Harnois is no stranger to modern drama. During his three-season stint on “Ghost Hunters” he was the show’s drama king and a fan-favorite. Nearly every one of the 36 episodes Harnois was in, it seemed he was at the center of some sort of chaos.

Sunday, December 9, 2012, Harnois wrote and posted a cryptic message on his Facebook page that some people believed was a suicide note. His wife, Michelle Harnois filed a missing person report the same day with the Warwick Police Department after not seeing him for a few days. Harnois was found safe the following day.

“I do not know the details but Brian has been found safe and is currently on his way to get mental treatment.” Michelle Harnois said in a post about the incident on her Twitter page.

A lot of people in the paranormal community believe that Harnois staged the incident to get attention and build buzz for a comeback. He even lashed out at some fans regarding his December disappearance.

Earlier this year, Harnois announced his “Dude, Run! Tour” and some fans that have supported him in this venture are allegedly getting ripped off. A few of them have tried to reach out to him on his various Facebook accounts but he either ignores them, censors their comments, or insults them.

Fans that have paid Harnois for items still have yet to receive them. One fan, Cheryl Baricko even accused him of stealing her payment and claimed that he refused issuing a refund for an upcoming event.

“Man up and stop removing posts that show the truth. My husband posted where you posted anyone can get a refund if they cancel with in seven days before the event,” Baricko posted on Harnois’ Facebook page.

“Everyone I owe T-shirts, DVD’s, or 8 x 10s to will be getting them this week or the following week. I’ve had a very big problem with getting everyone’s information together because of lack of a computer and misinformation.” Harnois attempted to do some damage control by posting an excuse on his Facebook fan page.

“So if anyone thinks he is a nice guy, he is a thief. Check RI court records. He has a world of court trouble coming this week for ripping people off and most likely will be arrested again.” According to Bericko, this isn’t the first time Harnois has stolen from fans.

On April 3, 2013, the Warwick Police Department issued a bench warrant for Harnois regarding an alleged theft in 2012. Some folks think that Harnois is using the money from fans to pay the rest of his overdue court costs.

Harnois’ paranormal comeback might be short-lived if he keeps continuing to treat his fans bad. Jenn Mitchell, one of Harnois’ public relations representatives recently jumped ship because she was allegedly being mistreated. Soon his fans might just do the same.

If allegations are true, people need to beware of Brian Harnois and his company B Ware Productions. Dude and dudettes, run! Definitely.

So how do fans keep from getting scammed? Here are some guidelines to keep not only your money safe but your self safe as well.

Only Attend Reputable and Professional Events

Stick with the professionals, they have time honored reputations and work closely with the celebrities. The big three are , Ghost Hunt Weekends, Ideal Event Management and Strange Escapes Events. Stray too far from these guys and you are taking a dice roll with your personal safety and hard earned money.

Ask for the Certificate of Insurance

The big three carry Insurance for your safety, if you are attending any kind of event, make sure they are insured. Amateur ghost hunt groups that put on ghost hunts for money should be spending some of that money for insurance, if they don’t have insurance DON’T ATTEND THE EVENT! Get their insurance providers name and give them a call to verify the policy.

Buyer Beware

Does the event accept all forms of Credit Cards as well as PayPal? This is one way to find out if the event organisers are a real company or somebody wanting some quick cash. The PayPal account should be a business name not under some persons name, also if the company accepts credit cards, they have a merchant account which has to be verified by the bank and has a fee associated with it. If an event asks for checks to be mailed in, stay away, there is no way to do a reverse of charges or dispute if there are any problems.

Look For a Professional Website

The company putting on the event only has a Facebook Page or a free template website provided by GoDaddy or Wix? You better check in to that a little closer. Big professional websites cost thousands of dollars to develop and maintain. Keep that in mind, if they can’t afford a professional website, how can they afford the insurance and to make sure the event is successful?

Toll-Free Tell-Tales

Another sign of a professional company, is if the have a Toll-Free number versus some phone number that goes to a cell phone or some Google Voice account. If they don’t have a real office, then they are most likely fly-by-night.

Do your homework, check into the companies and you can enjoy a professional event and really get your money’s worth meeting the celebrities, and taking home memories for a lifetime.

Now brian is ripping people off on comic books he screwed me out of 80 bucks he had a Facebook group or store called the long box and now he’s running again he lives in Amsterdam New York just moved there a couple months ago

If you happen to go to an event he is presenting, DO NOT purchase anything that he says he will ship to you “as soon as he returns home”. In March, 2013 I paid him $68 for an “autographed” Dude RUN! T-Shirt, his DVD and a book. He cashed my checks the following banking day, and I have yet to receive ANYTHING! He used to message me that he was going to ship the items “by the end of the week”, and then he had “lost my address”. Now I get no response at all. I’m not the only one from this event that did not receive any of the items they paid for. Does he not understand that THIS IS THEFT?

You are correct. Brian Harnois is a thief. He still owes me $335. I purchased 80 books from him on Nov. 17, 2011. I spoke directly with him on both Facebook and the phone several times. I paid him for the books through PayPal. First he told me he had shipped them late, and then he said it was more expensive to ship the books than he’d thought it would be but he would ship them. A month later they hadn’t arrived. I contested the purchase through PayPal, but Mr. Harnois gave this big song and dance about how tough things were and that the money was for his kids’ Christmas, etc. I felt sorry for him, and trusted him since he’s a public figure, so I removed the PayPal hold. Still no books. I continued to call him and contact him through Facebook, and he finally responded that he had shipped the books, and if I didn’t have them it wasn’t his fault. He couldn’t produce any proof of shipping the books, however, and then he just stopped responding. Am I ever going to get the money or the books???

By the way, there was never any assistant involved in this transaction, so he shouldn’t try to blame anyone else. Also, I’m disabled, so it’s really pitiful when you steal from someone who’s had two strokes and lives on a fixed income.

DONNA~Let me get this straight. You are on a fixed income, and yet you turn over $335 for books on paranormal activity? Brain Harnois is not the problem here, it’s your inability to handle your money. You clearly need supervision. What in the world was in those books that you felt you just had to have them?

Regardless of this person’s situation, a thief is a thief. I can’t believe you’re attempting to turn this situation around and freakin BLAME the victim here??! You’re a real fine piece of work, aren’t ya 😡

How someone else spends their money IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. Such a typical republicunt attitude you are rocking there lady.

Joseph Mesa

January 24, 2018 at 4:18 am

… Conservatives don’t care how you or anyone else spends their money. You have a terrible understanding of what I’m assuming is an opposing political view point. General rule of thumb Liberals feel the government should be more involved and larger and your money can do you more good in the hands of the government. Conservatives believe less government is almost always better and your money is your to spend, save, or wipe your ass with, if you so choose. I’m not sure why you brought your limited understanding of politics into a discussion about a failed tv personality stalking from adisabled person but you are the problem with this country and the reason people are so divided. Just because someone doesn’t subscribe to the exact political ideology you do does not make them a “Republicant”… p.s. I’m a liberatarian and would appreciate if both parties and the government would leave me alone to my own devices.

Terri, I completely agree with you. If you can’t see that it’s not professional and legit, then that’s your own problem. All these people attacking her for her own personal opinion, you all are some real pieces of shit. She yas EVERY right to speak how she feels about the situation and for you to attack, belittle, and call her nasty names is beyond me. Joseph: nobody cares about you stupid politicians or anything that has to do with politics. It’s all bullshit and anyone who is in that line of work is a liar, thief, and straight up racist asshole just like Trump and all his bullshit so called supporters. Do the right thing and get his ass impeached h r does not deserve to be in office PERIOD. Stop bashing people!! Donna is not a victim she’s just a fucking idiot who needs to learn from her mistake and be smarter next time. Your strokes and being disabled and having a fixed income don’t mean shit. Stop throwing a pity party and put your priorities first.

JafarMobuta

December 22, 2018 at 12:08 pm

Good Grief! Do we not all see that so-called paranormal experts/celebs, politicians, and other disrespectful sorts are cut from the same cloth? They each have personal agendas and will twist, wiggle, and misdirect to gain their desired results. I give the above reply as a great example. We read, “nobody cares about your stupid politics……”, yet it’s followed up with a political bash of Trump and his following. So are we to care about THAT political opinion? Only 1 person thinks so, but unfortunately didn’t realize it.

I care not how anyone spends their own money or that people have opinions about situations that don’t involve them personally. We are human and our biggest flaw is emotion. Emotion drives us free of charge, so we are held hostage to its direction. Understand this and maybe we have a small chance to survive each others’ ignorance, agendas, and mistakes.

I end as I began: Good Grief!

Donald Cuttler Jr

January 15, 2019 at 5:15 pm

Leave the political discussion out of this. If I recall the reason anyone is on here is because of a failef t.v personality and thief. Rhiannon you made a point to keep politics out of the discussion but as soon ss you get a chance you spew political rants against Trump. WTF DOES TRUMP HAVE TO DO WITH BRIAN” THE CRYING WOLF CROOK”? I honestly don’t understand how ignorant people actually want other’s to hear their point of view. Oh I know it’s called KEYBOARD BULLIES OR KEYBOARD COWARDS, keep hiding behind your phone’s, computers,tablets.etc!! Get A Life!!!

You should have never tru sted him regatdless if he is a public figure. Most public figures are crooks(Public Officials are one example) not all but most. Sorry that you are disabled and I hope things workout for you. As for Brian “THE CRYING WOLF CROOK” he isn’t a stand up individual. His appearances on Ghost Hunters and with Prozak prove he is a SNAKE.

Brian Harnois still owes me $335. I purchased 80 books from him on Nov. 17, 2011. I spoke directly with him on both Facebook and the phone several times. I paid him for the books through PayPal. First he told me he had shipped them late, and then he said it was more expensive to ship the books than he’d thought it would be but he would ship them. A month later they hadn’t arrived. I contested the purchase through PayPal, but Mr. Harnois gave this big song and dance about how tough things were and that the money was for his kids’ Christmas, etc. I felt sorry for him, and trusted him since he’s a public figure, so I removed the PayPal hold. Still no books. I continued to call him and contact him through Facebook, and he finally responded that he had shipped the books, and if I didn’t have them it wasn’t his fault. He couldn’t produce any proof of shipping the books, however, and then he just stopped responding. Am I ever going to get the money or the books???

By the way, there was never any assistant involved in this transaction, so he shouldn’t try to blame anyone else. Also, I’m disabled, so it’s really pitiful when you steal from someone who’s had two strokes and lives on a fixed income.

Brian Harnois and Ryan Buell need to stop their nonsense and get full-time jobs at Walmart, Home Depot, or wherever. There’s a nasty trend among celebrities to take advantage of their public. Joe Jonas admitted using his celebrity to “make out” with his female fans, Elton John charged for meet-and-greet sessions, etc. Hopefully, the two ghost chasers will get their heads out of their rumps, seek mental help, and provide restitution before they end up with long-term prison stretches.

I bought stuff from Brian. I did receive a package, any of you know what I received? What I paid for.

AND autographed DVD. I only asked for an autograph. So the DVD extra, was just him being a nice guy. Just my personal experience. Just thought I would share that not all interactions with Brian are negative. AND no, I did not meet him at any of my convention book signings. Im not that popular.